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Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
MBKS to act on illegal hawkers as MyKiosk uptake stalls
Photo shows one of the fruit stalls at the MyKiosk in Tabuan Jaya. — Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (May 30): Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has addressed concerns over the vacant MyKiosk units in Tabuan Jaya, stressing that enforcement action will soon be taken against illegal hawkers who refuse to relocate despite repeated offers from the council. His clarification comes in response to recent remarks by Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, who noted that many of the kiosks have remained unoccupied for more than six months since their launch. The MyKiosk initiative, Wee pointed out, was meant to strengthen entrepreneurship, uplift the community's social economy, and provide a safer, more suitable trading environment. 'Priority was given to the B40 (low-income) group and, most importantly, to the relocation of unlicensed traders – those operating in unsuitable and unsafe locations,' he said when met during a site visit yesterday. 'All identified unlicensed hawkers in the Tabuan Jaya area had been invited for briefings and interviews. While some accepted the offer, the majority declined.' Wee added that the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) had done its part in engaging with the traders, and with most refusing to cooperate, enforcement is now the only remaining option. 'We are talking to them, trying to convince them, but it takes time to convince people. 'Now, there is no other choice – we will issue a final notice to all eligible applicants. 'If they fail to comply, we will enforce. If that's what is expected of us, enforcement action will be taken against those who reject the offer without valid reasons.' Wee noted that as of now, out of 40 illegal traders identified in the vicinity, only five had agreed to move into the kiosks. He added that the 28 available stalls would be filled on a first-come, first-served basis during the next application intake in July. Wee also addressed concerns over affordability, stating that kiosk rentals were capped at RM300 monthly, with MBKS charging only RM280 every six months – less than RM2 per day. 'To further encourage take-up, the council is offering six months of free rent.' In this regard, Wee urged eligible hawkers to come forward if they felt their current trading spots were unsafe or if they needed a permanent space to display their goods. However, he reminded them that all applicants must still undergo an interview process, as the kiosks were not being filled merely for the sake of occupancy. 'These facilities here are insufficient to support cooking and related activities because there is no water. So, those are the things we will neither encourage nor allow,' he added. Regarding kiosk applications, Wee explained that the MBKS followed a quarterly schedule. 'The next intake is in July. Is it wrong to tell you to apply then? Nothing wrong, right? 'Don't just keep saying 'when you open, then you open la'. And before we open, don't come and start shouting,' he joked. Wee stressed that the council welcomed suggestions, but urged that they be constructive and not politically motivated. illegal hawkers MBKS MyKiosk wee hong seng
Borneo Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Fix Kuching Civic Centre roof now before disaster strikes, Chong tells S'wak govt
Chong Chieng Jen KUCHING (April 22): The Sarawak government should take immediate action to replace the roofing sheets of the Kuching Civic Centre instead of dilly-dallying, said DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen. Chong, who is Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, said he had heard the tender for the roofing sheet replacement would only be called sometime in July this year. 'To allow such a life-threatening structure to remain in our midst and literally towering over our heads for months, that is most irresponsible of any government. 'I therefore call upon the state government to act immediately and replace the roofing sheets of the Kuching Civic Centre tower without further delay. 'Knowing there is this clear and present danger, we should not wait till disaster to happen before we act,' he said in a statement. According to him, he has received messages of concern from the residents around the building, stating that there have been at least two occasions where roofing sheets from the tower were blown off — one landing in the backyard of a nearby house and another somewhere around Sarawak Club. He said that although it was extremely fortunate that no one was hurt on both occasions, these polycarbonate roof sheets, measuring 20 feet x 4 feet each, could 'cut like a giant knife' when falling from such a height. 'It is a danger not only to the neighbouring properties but also a threat to the lives of the people nearby — residents, pedestrians or passers-by. 'One shivers at the thought of another such incident happening at any moment, especially during strong winds' he said. On April 9, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu said the Ministry would work with the Public Works Department (JKR) to inspect the Kuching Civic Centre's roof after a component was blown off and fell into a nearby home garden the previous day. He also said that all of Sarawak's civic centres are now under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Mysed)'s purview and will come under a redevelopment masterplan. It was recently reported that the conversion of the polycarbonate roof to an iron roof would begin in July, with an estimated cost of between RM200,000 and RM300,000. Chong Chieng Jen Kuching Civic Centre lead replace roofing sheets
